Assig-noes to p



(N0M0de1.). C. 0.,GARDIN-ER & W. '0; DOWNEY.

Cultivator.

No. 237,740. v Paten te'd'Feb.15,1881.

UNITED CHARLES O. GARDINER AND WILLIAM C. DOWVNEY, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO,ASSIGNORS TO 12. P. MAST 8t 00., OF SAME PLACE.

CULTI'VATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 237,740, dated.February 15, 1881.

Application filed June 28, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES O. GARDI- NER and WILLIAM G. DOWNEY, ofSpringfield, in the county of Clarke and State of Ohio, have inventedcertain Improvements in Cultivators,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of machines in which shovel-beamsor drag-bars arranged to swing vertically-and laterally are coupled toand drawn by awheeled frame, and more-particularlyto those machines inwhich springs are applied to lift or assist the attendant in lifting thebeams when required.

The first feature of the invention consists in improved details relatingto the lifting-sprin gs, designed more particularly as an improvementupon the machine for which Letters Patent were granted to James M.Elder, bearing date December 9, 1879, No. 222,391, to give a betteraction and more perfect adjustment to the Elder springs.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine having our improvementsembodied therein, one of the main wheels being removed in order to 2expose the other parts to view. Fig. 2 is a perspective View, showing aportion of the frame and axle on one side of the machine with ourdevices applied thereto. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one of thecouplings. Fig.

0 4 is a vertical central cross-section of the same.

In its general construction the machine is similar to those now incommon use. It consists,mainly, of an arched frame or axle, A, havingthe draft-frame or tongue D applied 5 to its top, and having its lowerends turned outward to receive the main carrying-wheels B and thecouplings (J, by which the beams or drag-bars E are attached. Thedraft-frame is secured to the top of the arched frame or axle by meansof flanged plates F, which fit over and around the bend or angle in theaxle and against the tongue or draftframe, to which they are bolted.Each plate F is formed with a lip or flange, a, in one corner, as shown,

4 5 for the purpose of guiding and holding other parts hereinafterdescribed. Each of the'couplings or beam-connections 0 consists of threeparts-via, a sleeve or tube, a, mounted on the axle or journal, a heador block, I), mounted on and around the sleeve, and a forked plate,

a, secured rigidly to the beam and connected with head I) by means of avertical pivot pin or bolt, (1. The sleeve is provided with two externallongitudinal ribs, as shown, and is mounted upon the axle orjournal insuch manner that it can rotate freely, but not move endwise thereon. Atits inner end each sleeve has a rigid arm, 0, which will be described indetail hereinafter. The head or block b is cast in one solid piece, withan opening through which the sleeve and its ribs fit closely, as shown.This arrangement permits the head to be moved laterally upon the sleeve,but compels the two to rotate together. A screw.

9, inserted through and threaded into the head b, serves the doublepurpose of fixing the same in place at any desired point on the sleeve,and also of drawing the head and sleeve tightly together, so as to givethe head a solid hearing and prevent play'or lost motion between theparts.

When the screw is employed the other parts may be used with good resultsin the shape in which they come from the mold, without being accuratelyfinished or fitted together, and thus 7 5 the cost of construction maybe reduced to a very low point.

On its forward side the head I) has a lug or projection to enter theforked end of the plate 0. Through thislug and the plate 0 the pivotpind is inserted. A screw, 1', tapped into the rear side of the head I),bears upon the pin (1 and holds the same firmly in the head, so that theentire wear is thrown upon the two ends of the pin. By thus arrangingthe parts they 8 are caused to wear much longer and retain a closer fitthan otherwise, for the reason that the wear is received on a largenormore extended surface than would be the case were the pin left free toturn at its middle in the 0 head.

It will be seen that the connection of the parts is such that the entirecoupling turns about the axle as the beam rises and falls, and that anyforward strain applied to the arm 6 5 tends to elevate the beam. Theupper end of the arm 6 is provided with a series of holes,

g, arranged at different distances from the center, and also indifferent vertical planes, as

indicated in the drawings. 10o

An upright rod, G, is passed down loosely through the lip of plate F,and connected at its lower end to the arm 0 by means of a pivot-pinpassing through one of the holes in the arm, as shown in the drawings.The rod G is provided near the lower end with a series of holes, h, acollar, l, and a pin, in, passed through one of the holes to sustain thecollar. A. spiral spring, H, surrounding the rod Gr, bears at one endagainst the plate F and at the other against the collar, therebyexerting a downward pressure on the rod and the arm a, andcounterbalancin g the weight of the beam to a greater or less extent,according to the strength of the spring and the adjustment of the parts.As the beam rises and the arm a swings forward the increased advantagewhich the spring gains by the approach of the arm toward a horizontalposition compensates for the loss from decrease in the tension, and thusa substantially uniform liftingaction is exerted upon the beam. As thebeam descends to an operative position the rod is brought in line withthe shaft or axle, and thus the beam is relieved from the lifting actionwhen the shov els are in the ground.

By changing the connection forward and backward from one to another otthe holes in the arm the beam may be subjected to a slight liftingstrain when in operation, or subjected to a downward pressure afterdescending below a given point. By changing the elevation of the washerthe force of the spring may be varied, and the lifting strain therebyincreased or diminished, as may be required. The two adjustmentsdescribed, being entirely independent of each other, permit the machineto be adapted for work under all circumstances and conditions.

The upper plate, F, is provided, as shown, with the special lip a, whichforms an inexpensive and solid bearing for the spring.

We do not claim, broadly, a lifting-spring acting upon a beam; nor thecombination of a beam with an arm, rod, and spring; nor a spring whichserves both to raise and lower the beams; nor a liftin g-sprin g whichacts with increasing force as the beam rises. The construction of thecoupling, aside from the arm on which the spring acts, constitutes aseparate independent invention, and is not claimed herein but hat we doclaim is- 1. The cultivator-coupling having the rigid arm, with itsupper end provided with the se ries of holes disposed in diii'erentvertical and horizontal planes, as described and shown.

2. The combination of the frame, the beamcoupling having the upright armformed rigid- 1y thereon, the spiral compression'spring,and the slidingand swinging rod, having one end seated loosely in the frame, and theother end pivoted to the upper end of the coupling-arm by an adjustablepivot, which permits the rod to be moved forward and backward inrelation to the arm.

3. The combination of the frame, the coupling having the rigid uprightarm thereon, the rod, and the spring, the spring being adjustable intension, and the rod adjustable forward and backward at its point ofconnection with the arm, substantially as described.

4. In combination with the axle, the draftframe, and the beam-operatin grod, the flanged plate F, constructed as described and shown, with thelip or flange, whereby itis adapted to serve the double purpose ofuniting the frame and axle and of holding the rod and its spring. i

5. The combination of the parts b c, the eonnecting-pivot, and the screw15, applied to hold the pivot, as shown.

CHARLES OTIS GARDINER. WILLIAM COURSEY DO\VNEY.

\Vitnesses:

J. B. CHRISTIE, CHAS. A. HARRIS.

